Nancy Ajram

Biography

Nancy Ajram (نانسي عجرم) or Nancy Nabil Ajram (Arabic: نانسي نبيل عجرم‎) (born May 16, 1983) is a multi-platinum Lebanese pop folk artist. Considered one of the decade's most important superstars of the Middle East & Arab world, Ajram has sold, by 2007, over 30 million records ranking 3rd best selling female artist in Lebanese history. Ajram has secured a sensational status in the Middle East by releasing seven albums to date, numerous music videos and commercials; Ajram has participated in the most significant Arabic festivals and won plenty of awards, most importantly the 2008 World Music Award of best-selling Arab/Middle Eastern artist. Nancy Ajram is the first and only female sponsor and spokesperson of Coca-Cola in the Middle East & Arab world.

Ajram was born on May 16th, 1983 to Nabil Ajram and Rimonda Oun, as the eldest of two siblings, Nadine Nariman Ajram and Nabil Ajram Jr. She started singing at the age of eight, when she appeared for the first time in 1991 at a singing contest for kids on national television in Lebanon. In 1995, at the age of twelve, Nancy Ajram took part in the entertainment show, Noujoum Al-Moustakbal, ("Stars of the Future"), a Lebanese television musical competition, winning a gold medal in the Tarab category after singing a song by Umm Kulthum.

Ajram studied music following her early success with renowned Lebanese musicians and although she was less than 18 years old, the syndicate of professional artists in Lebanon accepted her as a member because they found her to be an exceptional talent and deserved to be qualified as a professional artist. Shortly afterwards Nancy released her first album, Mihtagalak ("I Need You') in 1998, with most of its songs holding a pure Tarab style, thus starting her music career at the age of 15. It was followed by Sheel Oyoonak Anni ("Take Your Eyes Off Of Me") in 2000, which achieved more success.